Last Updated on June 14, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
In today’s world, there is an urgent need to produce more food with less cost and fewer resources. This is exactly what the solutions for precision farming technology are intended for. This technology is fundamentally changing traditional approaches to agricultural work.
The use of precision farming allows for boosting efficiency and productivity at each stage of agricultural work, optimizing the amount of input materials, reducing expenses, and increasing yields. But does it lead towards sustainability in farming? And if yes, then how exactly? Let’s try to answer these questions in this article.
How does precision agriculture work?
The concept of precision farming means that lands are evaluated and cultivated taking into account the needs of each field zone, with all the heterogeneity of seedlings, vegetation, soil moisture and productivity, fertilizer application, etc.
The accuracy of assessment is achieved by combining technologies and the data obtained with their help: images from satellites and UAVs, sensors on machinery and fields (landscape, humidity, temperature, pH levels), weather stations, etc.
Understanding the geographical, terrestrial, and chemical features of the field areas, it is possible to adjust irrigation, apply fertilizers or pesticides, considering the state of each plot. More so, to manage the machinery and equipment on it with computer precision. And that is how precision agriculture contributes to yield increase — historical field data analysis, current field assessment, and future yield forecast.
The principles of precision farming are at the heart of decision-making about soil and crop management in individual areas of fields. At the same time, it is possible to correlate the actual cultivated area with a field map and satellite images to track how uniform seedlings are, how biomass grows, compare this information with neighboring fields or with historical data on the same field through years, overlay crop yield indicators in the region, and identify issues if any.
There are different technologies used in precision agriculture, and one of the biggest among them is satellite field monitoring. This method enables remote farmland management based on reliable data retrieved from satellite imagery.
Ultimately, advanced AI algorithms enable visualization of vegetation indices measurements right on the digital field map for the farmer to use for effective decision-making, relying on information about the state and needs of each field zone. Therefore, precision agriculture uses technology to increase sustainability by making more efficient use of critical resources, such as land, water, fuel, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Hence, the top benefits of precision agriculture include:
- Yield increase thanks to increased efficiency of field management
- Fewer chemical and water use due to precise application based on the needs of each field zone
- Accessibility and affordability of different precision agriculture software on the market, allowing for saving time and costs on field monitoring and management
Precision farming and sustainability
When all your farm data can be collected and accessed in one place, like a precision farm app, you will no longer have to worry about planning your next farm activities effectively — precision farming methods will aid with this complicated task. But this does not mean that precision farming integration does not have an impact on financial outcome.
Yes, thanks to higher precision of all farm operations, you can save money and time. But the overall financial result will depend on many factors, such as the type of farming (crop production, cattle breeding, etc), the specific technology implemented, the size of the farm, and how the data analysis is performed.
Luckily, when precision farming is implemented the right way, it can quickly help reduce labor costs, lower resource consumption, save time, and eliminate issues with planning field work each season. However, choosing precision farming technologies is not an easy task. What works perfectly for one farm may not work for the other one. That’s why it’s critical to consider each action separately and implement solutions and methods that are suitable for specific farm conditions.
Precision farming just connects your entire farm into one operating organization, providing you everything you might need to make more informed decisions. Thanks to making those effective decisions based on reliable and necessary data, you make the best of every field zone while preserving resources and ensuring your farm’s sustainable development.
Which agricultural method is the most sustainable?
It’s a difficult question to answer without first defining what characteristics make an agricultural system sustainable. For the purposes of this article, we will consider sustainability in agriculture to mean producing food in a way that doesn’t damage or degrade the environment, is humane to animals, and is economically viable for farmers.
There are many different types of sustainable farming systems, but they all have a few things in common. They minimize the use of synthetic inputs like pesticides and fertilizers, build healthy soils, and promote biodiversity.
Sustainable agriculture is an approach to food production that is environmentally friendly, socially just, and economically viable. It has many different forms, but all share a commitment to producing food in a way that protects and restores the natural environment, is humane to animals, and is economically just for farmers.
The most sustainable agricultural system is one that works with nature, instead of against it. That means using techniques like crop rotation, cover crops, and composting to improve soil health; choosing plant varieties that are well-suited to the local climate; and using natural predators to control pests.
Sustainable agriculture is possible on any scale, from the smallest family farm to the largest industrial operation. It’s a matter of finding the right approach for your particular circumstances.
How precision farming is more effective than conventional farming?
Precision farming is a new and innovative approach to agriculture that utilizes modern technology to increase yields and profits while reducing inputs costs. Conventional farming methods are becoming increasingly outdated, as they are often inefficient and lead to excessive use of resources.
Precision farming allows farmers to manage their crops more effectively by using data collected from sensors and other devices to make real-time decisions about irrigation, planting, and fertilization. This information is then used to create customized management plans that are specific to each field.
Precision farming has been shown to be more efficient than conventional farming methods, as it can reduce water usage by up to 50%, decrease chemical inputs by 30-40%, and lower fuel consumption by 20-25%. In addition, precision farming can also increase crop yields by 10-15%.
Overall, precision farming is a more effective and efficient way of producing food, as it uses less resources while still maintaining high levels of production. In the future, precision farming will only become more prevalent as technology continues to advance.
What are the three major impacts of precision farming?
Precision farming is an approach to crop production that seeks to maximize yield while minimizing inputs.
The three major impacts of precision farming are:
1) Increased yields – Precision farming can lead to increased yields due to more precise application of inputs and improved management of pests and diseases.
2) Reduced costs – Precise application of inputs can reduce costs by reducing wastage. In addition, improved management of pests and diseases can lead to reduced use of pesticides and other inputs.
3) Improved environmental sustainability – More precise application of inputs can lead to reduced soil erosion and leaching of pollutants. In addition, improved management of pests and diseases can reduce the need forchemical inputs, which can have a positive impact on the environment.
